Praedicator

Verba

Friday, June 9, 2017 - Friday in the 9th Week in Ordinary Time

[Tob 11:5-17 and Mark 12:35-37]

As Jesus was teaching in the temple area he said, "How do the scribes claim that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said: The Lord said to my lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I place your enemies under your feet.' David himself calls him 'lord'; so how is he his son?" The great crowd heard this with delight. [Mark]

The particular meaning of this passage from the Gospel According to Mark has scripture scholars scratching their heads. It seems to refer to a debate about Jesus' descent from David. If David calls Jesus his 'Lord,' the reasoning goes, then how can Jesus be David's 'son' (descendant). This is the import of the quote from Psalm 110. This kind of debate was public entertainment.

The whole thing occurs after Jesus has entered Jerusalem, in the days before his arrest. It also is one of a string of arguments between Jesus and the various religious authorities in Jerusalem. There was the tax question from the Pharisees and Herodians. Then there was the crazy marriage question from the Sadducees about the lady married to seven brothers. Now there is a debate with the scribes. I have the impression that the evangelist is building dramatic tension here by showing Jesus at odds with all the big political "players" in Jerusalem, which creates the antagonism leading to his betrayal and arrest and death.

The Gospel According to Mark begins very simply with the words, The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ.... But we add "according to Mark." Picking up this scripture after the long absence of Lent and Easter can disorient our reflections. I suggest going back to the beginning and seeing how the story develops up to the point of all these disputes. This is akin to what I ask retreatants to do - create a history of prayer, learning, community and service - so that their present situation makes more sense! Mark has a great story to tell. As disciples we can be in it. AMEN